Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Aaaaaarrrrggghhhghh!!!!!

FoxSports' Kevin Kennedy adds his name to the list of idiot former players who are attributing the success of the Chicago White Sox to their ability to "manufacture runs." And, like so many Joe Morgans before him, he chooses to go on and on about their "aggressive" "small ball" approach, while pretty much disregarding the fact that their pitchers are all playing way over their heads. Some highlights:

First off, he cites the Carlos Lee-Scott Podsednik trade as one of the main reasons for the White Sox great start. Let's examine their stats, shall we?

Sure, Podsednik can steal a base, but do you really want a guy with 9 extra base hits? I don't know about you, but I'd take Carlos Lee at this point.

But let's look at the White Sox as a team and see if this "small ball" thing is actually working.

The White Sox are currently seventh in the AL in runs scored. They project to score 749 runs. Last year, they were third in the AL with 865 runs scored. So, let me get this straight. Small ball is better because you score fewer runs?

There's more. And I quote:

"Then there are the Boston Red Sox. You would think the Sox would have learned a lesson last year when speed kept them from being eliminated in four games by the Yankees in the ALCS. Dave Roberts pinch ran in the ninth inning of the fourth game and stole second to set up the tying run, paving the way for the Sox great comeback and eventual World Series win. So what happened? They didn't re-sign Roberts, let him go to San Diego where he's now making a difference and setting the table for the resurgent Padres because you need a speed guy in a big ballpark like PETCO. And the Sox? They have underachieved so far this year despite their heavy hitters, and are dead last in the majors with 13 stolen bases. How soon some forget."

What? What?!?!?! You honestly think the Red Sox are struggling becaue they didn't resign Dave Roberts!?!?! You're right, Kevin. Because of one (albeit pivotal) play, the Red Sox should have redesigned a team that led the ML in runs, total bases, OBP, SLG, OPS, XBH, and oh yeah, won the fucking World Series? You really think the Red Sox are struggling because they're last in the MLB in stolen bases. Really? Think about that. Keep in mind that the Red Sox are once again leading the majors in runs scored.

So Kevin, let's think about this real hard. If the Red Sox are leading the majors in runs, and the White Sox are seventh in the AL, 13th in MLB...why do the White Sox have a better record?

What's that? Very good, Kevin! Pitching! You know, that thing to which you devoted ONE FUCKING SENTENCE IN AN ENTIRE FUCKING ARTICLE ABOUT THE WHITE SOX, AND THAT SENTENCE MERELY SAYS THAT THE WHITE SOX STARTERS "GIVE OPPOSING TEAMS A DIFFERENT LOOK EVERY DAY, AND THE BULLPEN IS HOLDING UP AS WELL."

Ahem. Sorry. Let's look at the White Sox team pitching compared to last year.

Right now, the White Sox are 3rd in the AL in WHIP, 3rd in OBP, 3rd in OPS, 3rd in ERA, and 1st in saves. Last year, they were 6th, 7th, 13th, 12th, and 10th respectively.

Compare that to the Red Sox, who are currently 10th, 11th, 12th, 12th, and 10th. (Last year, they were 1st, 1st, 1st, 3rd, and 6th).

When is someone going to say that the White Sox are playing great, but it's almost entirely because they have great pitching, and they'd be even better if they stopped playing like they're the 1986 St. Louis Fucking Cardinals?

I realize I've gone on a lttle long here, so anyone's welcome to comment on the 100 other retarded things Kennedy says in this column. Good luck.

Plus there's the fact that the Red Sox didn't "let him go to San Diego." They traded him for Jay Payton, Ramon Vazquez and Dave Pauley. The Sox weren't going to play him full-time so they honored his request for a trade to a team that would. Why is it so hard for these baseball guys, whose entire job it is to think, write and talk about nothing but baseball, to keep transactions straight? And for god's sake, before you publish a column for the world to see CHECK YOUR FACTS if you can't remember everything.

By the way, I just found out about this blog the other day and I just want to thank you. I can't tell you how happy I am to see someone calling out these clowns.